Absentee Ballots In SD Primary Exceed 10,000

South Dakota Secretary of State Jason Gant says that 10,688 absentee ballots have been cast for the South Dakota June 3 primary election.

More than 11,800 ballots have been sent out to military personnel, students and residents who will be away from the state on election day.

Absentee voting is also available in person at county courthouses for people who want to vote early. Absentee voting ends at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 2.

Gant predicts a slightly above average turnout at the polls, around 50 percent, in the primary. A Republican race for a U.S. Senate seat nomination and a competitive race for the Democratic nominee for governor has drawn voters' attention.

There are 510,851 registered voters in the state. Registration for the primary is closed.